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In a week where teams were foolishly flinging money around, in a free-agent market that's anything but free, the Senators got a huge bargain on Friday.

The Senators signed centre David Legwand to a two-year deal worth $6 million - $2.5 million this season and $3.5 million next.

Right after signing, Legwand reached out to a couple of former teammates, Mike Fisher and Jason York - who no doubt gave Ottawa a big thumbs up.

"With Jason Spezza leaving, I thought this was a good fit for myself," he said. "What Jason did in Ottawa was pretty remarkable. He's a rare offensive talent. I don't think I can fill his shoes, but maybe I can go in and play an all-around game. I think I can take the second-line centre spot and play good minutes. Whatever they need me to do, I think I can do."

Legwand is a former second overall draft choice, taken by the Nashville Predators in 1998, one slot behind Vincent Lecavalier. It's a draft year the Senators would rather forget; they took goalie Mathieu Chouinard 15th overall.

Legwand is capable at both ends of the ice. It was his versatility that helped make him attractive to the Senators, who dealt their captain, Spezza, to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.

"David is a good veteran centre," said Senators GM Bryan Murray. "He skates pretty well, he gets up and down the ice. He's an experienced guy who can fill either the top or bottom of the lineup.

"He's been a captain and a leader so we know we're getting a good person. We just think the way things shook out for us, having an experienced centre that can be a decent faceoff man, be a good defensive player and get points was very important at this time.

Legwand will be able to pick up some of the offensive slack. In his best season - 2006-07 - he had 63 points. Last season, he was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings at trade deadline after 15 seasons in Nashville. He wound up with 14 goals and 37 assists.

"I think we can contend for the playoffs," said Legwand. "That's got to be the goal - to get to the dance."

The Senators are still open for business. Murray says he's got some irons in the fire to maybe make something work via the trade front.

"We continue to talk," said Murray. "We've had discussions about a trade that have gone on for a period of time. It's just a matter if we can get satisfaction both ways.

"I do feel comfortable with the roster. If we have to add, we will. It looks like our young players that have been drafted by the organization and developed within ... we've got a couple of guys who are ready and if they get a chance, I'm sure they'll perform very well."